Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2013 | Page 108

FOOD

Neil. “When we started we had to grow
with ideas we could cope with, and
cope with the huge demand. Sometimes
in the summer we can do as many as
1,000 meals in a day. So what we put
on the menu is what we are able to do.”
Stephanie admits that within a couple
of weeks she fell in love with the

Spyglass, and has subsequently
worked behind the bar, and
helped with the cleaning, cooking
and all the other duties that
come with running a successful
pub. But she accepts: “We
could not have done it without
such wonderful staff. We owe
them a big thank you, and also
a big thank you to our loyal
customers.”
Neil and Stephanie’s families
have strong Ventnor connections,
with Neil’s grandfather and father
both running a clothes shop in
the town, which opened 90 years
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ago. Over the last 10 years the
couple have also acquired the Mill
Bay and the Met Wine Bar on
Ventnor seafront.
But it is at the Spyglass where
the 25th anniversary celebrations
will take place on March 22, 23
and 24. There will be a variety
of music to mark the occasion,
with some of the artists appearing
having worked at the Spyglass
from the day it opened, including
JC and Angelina and Johnny at
the Piano. Cheers, and here’s to
the next 25 years!